Head and neck pathology

Head: Lisa Walaas M.D. Ph.D.
Klaus Beiske, M.D. Ph.D.
Peter Jebsen, M.D.
Svetlana Tafjord, M.D.
We provide service for the ENT and the Paediatric Clinics in RR HF. The service encompasses both biopsies and cytology and, in corresponding cases, autopsies. We have also an extensive service towards the Radiology Department, performing Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC:s), where we form part of a team, investigating all sorts of deep-seated, non palpable lesions (mostly tumors), including ultrasound guided endoscopic FNAC:s.
In the ENT Department we have our own policlinic twice a week, investigating head-and–neck lesions with FNAC, with or without the help of ultrasound. Our service includes, where possible, an on-the-spot diagnosis after a Quickstain procedure on cytological material. We take part in oncology meetings 1 – 2 times a week and organs most commonly involved are lymph nodes, thyroid and salivary glands.
For the Pediatric clinic we primarily take part in the diagnostic work-up of solid tumours. The diagnosis of cancer in children is a very demanding procedure, where we form part of a diagnostic team. Time is always short for instituting the right type of treatment, which most often follows European protocols. Consequently, we belong to an extensive European network for consultation.
In the Department of Radiology, FNAC serves as a micromorphologic complement to CT and ultrasound investigation of chest and abdomen. New methods include Ultrasound guided cytology (EUS). This service is very time-consuming and demanding, but at the same time it allows a cost-saving shortening of investigation times, often with an instantaneous diagnosis. PET-scan is the latest addition to methods, where FNAC is employed.
In exfoliative cytology, we have since 2 years favoured the method of Liquid Based Cytology and monolayer preparation of gynies and we have since long pioneered an effort to include HPV results in our report of low-grade cytological lesions. Molecular analysis of HPV is performed together with our Gene Diagnostic laboratory.
Current projects are related to HPV (BH), in situ hybridisation of solid tumours (KB), bile duct neoplasia (PJ), clinical follow-up of pediatric tumours (LW) and ENT tumours (KF).
Production statistics:
| C Sub-mitted |
C Own pol |
C Ul guided |
C CT |
C EUS |
C EUSexternal |
C exfol |
V vag |
B biops |
| 666 | 635 | 241 | 46 | 55 | 23 | 868 | 10340 | 3439 |
| Total cytologi 2534 | V 10340 | B 3439 | ||||||